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Current Families Guide

Current Families Guide

Welcome OCPS Families!

Important Numbers

 

 

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  • ....................407.317.3694 (M-F 7:30-3:30)      

Navigating the School Day

OCPS has you covered from sunrise to sunset. The information in this section is designed to help families navigate critical topics they encounter EVERYDAY. Click on each accordion for more information.

  • OCPS students can be transported to schools in several ways including walking, biking, being dropped off in a personal vehicle or riding a public school bus.

    To be eligible to ride on a public school bus, the students must reside two or more miles from their assigned school, be a participant in a designated Exceptional Education Program with an active Individual Education Plan (IEP), or a 504 Plan that has been approved by the school principal or their designee. Elementary students who resides within two (2) miles of their assigned school but do not have a pedestrian route from their home to school that is free of hazards as defined by FS 1006.23, may also qualify.

  • Daily attendance in school is the responsibility of the parent/guardian and is encouraged for all students in grades PK-12. Daily attendance is reported for all students grades PK-12. Period-by-period attendance is also reported for students in grades 9-12. Parents will receive notification of unexcused absences daily through the Connect Orange automated phone message system.

    Any student who is not in class when the opening bell rings is considered tardy to school. There is no grace period for tardies. Any student who comes in after the opening bell rings is recorded as tardy.

    An student who is withdrawn from class after completion of a half day of school school as "early departure." Early student departure during the last hour of the school day is strongly discouraged.

  • Standards

    Wondering what your child is learning about today? All content students learn is based on the Florida Standards and Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking. There are standards and benchmarks for core subject areas such as English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. There are also standards for elective areas such as dance, health, music, physical education, theatre, visual art, world languages and career and technical education.

    Curriculum Areas

    Students at all levels take courses in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education and the arts.

    Students in middle and high school also have the opportunity to take electives in areas such as advanced studies, world languages, and visual and performing arts.

    Digital Learning

    The LaunchED 1:1 digital learning program provides digital learning devices such as laptops or tablets to all K-12 students.

    The district-provided devices are used in a blended learning environment, where students attend traditional brick-and-mortar schools and use online textbooks, digital productivity tools and instructional resources to personalize their learning environment.

    Online Textbooks

    Students can visit our district’s Single Sign On dashboard, LaunchPad, at LaunchPad - OCPS to access instructional software, digital textbooks and more.

    Digital Productivity Tools

    Students use Google Workspace for Education. This is where students create, collaborate, and store files. This is also where students send and receive emails from teachers and students. Students can access their Google account on any device.

    Learning Management System

    Students use Canvas. This is the district learning management system, and the hub of the digital classroom. Students will visit Canvas to check their calendar for upcoming due dates, access course materials, and submit assignments.

    To learn more about digital learning and access help guides, please visit Family Engagement and Digital Outreach.

  • FREE Breakfast and Lunch for ALL!

    OCPS is proud to provide healthy breakfast and lunch at NO CHARGE at nearly all school sites! 

    We strongly encourage all parents/guardians at Atwater Bay Elementary School, Luminary Elementary, Luminary Middle School and Innoation High School. to complete a Free & Reduced Meals and Benefits form at My School Apps website. You only need to complete one form per household, and the application takes only a few minutes to complete. If your family qualifies, they will not only get meals at no charge but may also qualify for other benefits such as Discounts on afterschool programs and camps; Fee waivers for SAT/ACT/PSAT exams; Waivers for college application fees; Discounts for internet services and other benefits. Click here to learn more and apply.

    Birthday Bites

    Food and Nutrition Services also provides elementary school parents/guardians the opportunity to order a classroom birthday celebration through the Birthday Bites program. Students are treated to great snacks, that meet Eat Smart USDA guidelines, during their own special birthday event – with balloons, party hats, and singing. Some of these guidelines include less than 35% of calories from sugar, less than 10% of total calories from saturated fats, and less than 200 mg. of sodium.

    Click here to learn more and order a birthday celebration.

    Snack Bites

    Snack Bites allows parents to easily purchase affordable, healthy snacks online for the entire class directly through our school cafeterias. The items offered meet the Smart Snacks in Schools, nutrition statndards set by the USDA, ensuring they are both nutritious and delicious. Snacks ordered through the Snack Bites program do not require parents to fill out the “Record of Outside Food” form.  

    - Click here to access the Snack Bites order form. 

  • OCPS K-5 Extended Day Enrichment Program

    The Extended Day Enrichment Program offers supervision and a variety of enrichment activities for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. The program is fee-supported by those using its services. Daily activities include homework time, structured supervised free play, art, drama, crafts, music, dance and organized team games.

    OCPS 6-8 Extended Day Programs

    OCPS has a collaborative partnership with Orange County Government – Citizens’ Commission for Children (CCC) and the City of Orlando which provides for effective and sustainable afterschool programs services. Specific outcome objectives have been established to include increased academic performance, reduced truancy and absenteeism. After School All Stars services our 9 middle schools located in the Orlando city limits. Boys and Girls Club Services 14 schools and the YMCA services 15 schools. These programs are FREE during the school year.

    OCPS Extracurricular Activities

    Each OCPS school also has optional extracurricular activities to choose from including athletics, clubs, and organizations.

    • ​​​​​​​Click here for a full list of extracurricular activities at each school.
  • OCPS students can be transported home in several ways including walking, biking, being dropped off in a personal vehicle or riding a public school bus.

    To be eligible to ride on a public school bus, the students must reside two or more miles from their assigned school, be a participant in a designated Exceptional Education Program with an active Individual Education Plan (IEP), or a 504 Plan that has been approved by the school principal or their designee. Elementary students who resides within two (2) miles of their assigned school but do not have a pedestrian route from their home to school that is free of hazards as defined by FS 1006.23, may also qualify.

    Some schools may also offer transportation for after school tutoring and other activities. Please check with your child's school.

  • Homework is an integral part of the student's educational experience. With the increase in digital curriculum, homework will take shape differently than it has in the past, but the purpose will remain the same:

    • to reinforce learning concepts which are introduced during classroom instruction
    • promote utilization of study skills
    • develop and research skills; and
    • enhance learning experiences.

    Click here to view guides, resources, and how-to videos regarding the digital resources your child may use when completing homework.

    Canvas Parent

    Parents can access Canvas using the OCPS Parent Portal at OCPS Parent Portal or using the Canvas Parent app for iOS, Android, or Windows mobile devices to keep up with their student’s calendar and assignments.

    FREE Brainfuse Homework Help Tutoring

    This FREE service is provided through the Orange County Library System! Tutors are available every day from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Using Brainfuse, you can connect with a qualified tutor for expert help in Math (through Precalculus), Science, Social Studies, English, English as a Second Language, Computer Literacy, Test Preparation and Writing Assistance. To connect, students can click on the Virtual Library Card icon on their LaunchPad - OCPS and click on "Access Information to Help You Study" and then "Tutoring- Brainfuse."

    Click here for directions on how to access FREE Brainfuse Live Tutoring.

    Interactive Resources for Students

    The Florida Students website includes hundreds of interactive resources families can use to support student learning in language arts, mathematics, science, and civics.

  • ConnectOrange powered by ParentSquare

    In July 2025, Orange County Public Schools began using ParentSquare for school and district communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. To learn more about how to use ParentSquare to communicate with your child’s teachers and school staff. 

    Email

    All school and district staff are also available directly through email. School staff email addresses can be found under the faculty and staff tab of each school’s website. The email configuration is firstname.lastname@ocps.net. Please allow 48 hours for email to be returned. 

    Phone 

    All school and district staff are also accessible by school. School phone numbers are located on each school’s website. Follow prompts to leave a voicemail for instructional staff during the school day. Please allow 24 hours for phone calls to be returned. 

Important Numbers

OCPS Information Hotline
407.317.3463
Advanced Studies (AP/IB/AICE)
407.317.3328
Career and Technical Education
407.317.3212
Exceptional Student Education
407.317.3799

Hope Florida 

833.GET.HOPE (833.438.4673)

Let’s Talk Parent Line 

407-317-3202

Lost Device Hotline
407.317.3290
Mental Health Helpline
407.317.3694 (M-F 7:30-3:30)

Multilingual Services
407.317.3410
School Choice (Charter/Magnet)
407.317.3484
Speak Ou
t Hotline
800.423.8477
Transportation
407.317.3807

Other Considerations

Click on the icons below to access information about other educational considerations that may impact your family.

Navigating the School Year

They say there is a season for everything and school is no exception! This section breaks the school year in six seasons for families. Click on each heading to reveal 3 to 5 key actions families can take to stay engaged in their child’s education.

Making the Most of Milestones

There are five key milestones in your family’s educational journey in OCPS. Click on the icons below to access information about each milestone.